The £120m scheme also includes a 17-storey tower of flats and offices and a new cycle and pedestrian bridge to link the interchange with Stockport rail station.

Construction of the new interchange scheme could start by spring next year, with completion estimated for 2023.

Located alongside the A6 and Mersey Square, the interchange will be funded by Transport for Greater Manchester, Stockport Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

The other main element of the development will be a residential building off Daw Bank with up to 200 apartments and associated car parking, offering further attractive high-quality living space in the town centre.

The residential building off Daw Bank will contain 200 flats and associated car parking

The transport hub will be connected to the A6 by a lift, which will also open out onto the new, two-acre public park on the roof of the interchange building, next to the residential block. Accessible directly from the A6, the park will bring much-needed green space to the town centre.

The cycle- and foot-bridge linking the development and railway station, via the park, was today confirmed as benefiting from the Mayor’s Cycling and Walking Challenge Fund – a wider £160m package that will see 42 new cycling and walking schemes delivered across Greater Manchester.

The interchange project will also see the upgrading of a nearby section of the Trans Pennine Trail alongside the River Mersey and associated secure cycle parking.

WSP is main consultant for the scheme

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:  “I’m delighted that the Stockport Interchange, residential development and park plans have been given the go-ahead.

“Stockport is a key area for me and one that I’m keen to see benefit from even better transport infrastructure as outlined in Greater Manchester’s 2040 Transport Strategy.”